I talk to everybody. That has always been a source of amusement to my husband and probably to the rest of my family and close friends. I’m a people watcher, and whenever I see something, in my opinion, that merits a comment , I am quick to offer one. It is always in a spirit of fun, never critical, and nearly every time I make a comment, I get a smile or laugh and a reply.
Because I enjoy talking to people, I don’t order a lot of things online, preferring to talk to someone on the phone instead. I think I’m on a first-name basis with half the customer service representatives at L.L. Bean. How else would I know what the weather is up there in Maine or how their families are doing or if the color of that sweater is really as pretty a red as it looks in the catalog?
When my husband came home for dinner tonight, he turned on the radio so we could listen to our classical music station, WHRO, while we ate. Since it happens to be their pledge drive week, instead of music, he was greeted by someone talking and asking for support.
“I know it’s necessary,” my husband said, “but I really hate this time of the year.”
I perked up. “But I got to hear my name on the radio when I called in my pledge this morning.” Mind you, I could have made my donation over the internet, but as I’ve been saying, I like the personal touch.
“Did they say Susan, or did you give them your full name?” my husband asked.
“Oh, my whole name, of course, and I told them we had moved up here from San Antonio, and we had a classical station there as well, and I was so excited when we moved up here because we have some of the same programs we had in Texas and the announcers are the same, so it sounded so comforting to hear the same voices, and…”
My husband interrupted. “Is this another case of “Help I’m talking and I can’t shut up?” He started laughing. “So, now do they know our entire history?” He was laughing harder and harder. “What else did you tell them?”
I looked at him over my glasses while he continued to laugh hysterically. “I told them of our impending divorce.”
Coming East 
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You are so funny! Many years ago, I worked at the local public broadcasting station and the volunteers that answered the phones loved people like you that called in to chat. I have to agree with your husband though; I know it’s necessary, but it drives me crazy! Me? I’m an internet pledger and online buyer all the way.
Glad to know that the volunteers like people like me!
You sound exactly like my husband’s late grandmother, who was such a nice, friendly lady, but who just liked to talk to anyone and everyone. She preferred to travel on the Greyhound than flying to Colorado (from Chicago) to see her other daughter, just because she could talk to people on the bus! Can you imagine how many hours of talking that is?
Very funny post! It’s great to get to know you through your blog!
I would have loved your husband’s grandmother!
I have to ask: do you chat up telemarketers, too? The ones who call you during dinner? Sometimes they’re fun to mess with. They don’t know what to do.
Actually, I am not so kind to telemarketers who interrupt my dinner. I usually say I’m not interested, and if they continue to try to sell me something, I hang up. Now my dad was a different story. When he’s say no thank you, if the telemarketer said, “Don’t you want to save some money?” Dad would reply, “No, I don’t. I have so much money now, I don’t know what to do with it.” They had no idea how to respond.
Thanks for supporting WHRO!
Wow, Bert! Thanks for visiting my blog and taking the time to comment.
What’s so funny?? YOU ARE! You set us up for that punch line well, Susan! LOL 😀 Your ‘chattiness’ is just one more thing I like about you. You can chat me up any old time!
Well, then, put on some tea, Mama, and I’m heading on over!
I knew there was something familiar about you the first time I read your blog! Does this sound familiar? “Thank you for calling LL Bean. My name is Carol. How may I help you today?”
Don’t worry, that family secret you told me after you ordered that boreal blue turtleneck is safe. Some days I come home realizing I know even more about “my new best friends across America” than their hairdressers and bartenders! I love being the invisible recipient of true confessions!
No way, Carol! You really are an L.L. Bean associate? My dream job! Wouldn’t it be a hoot if you did answer the phone when I’m calling some time? Too funny!
I work in the Portland call center during “Peak.” Peak runs from August until mid January! There are 3 call centers ~ all in Maine. Chances of you getting me are slim, but stranger things have happened!!!
I think that would be a fun job, especially for someone who likes to talk to people. I’ll keep listening for your name whenever I order something, Carol. You never know…
Now these days, more and more people are on the smart phone, I don’t sense people talking to each other like we used to. A couple of months ago, I was at the airport, because of the delay, a pilot who sat by me initiated the conversation while I was having fun playing the Angry Birds game on my iPhone. And, we had a very pleasant conversation. Maybe, I should put my iPhone away and start talking to people.
I still have no idea what Angry Birds is, other than that it’s a game. I could get it on my Nook, since I don’t have a smart phone, but I’m just not a game player, and least not one that only involves me. How nice that it was a pilot who initiated the conversation.
Oh my, too funny! I am so the opposite, preferring the web if at all possible to talking to someone. That said, I did one time call and pledge to an NPR station because they were X dollars short (probably 10 in those days) of reaching a matching pledge. And they said they would give a special shout out to whomever called & sent them over the top. Needless to say, I had to do it, and my husband of about 2 years at that long-ago time, got quite an amusing surprise when he was on his way to work and heard his name announced w/ a special hello from me. SO worth it! 😀
I’m sure your husband was very surprised, Julia, since that wasn’t and isn’t your standard MO!
🙂
Sounds like you have a lot in common with my mother. She’s never met a stranger… or as Dad says, she was vaccinated with a phonograph needle. I’m relatively shy, but I’ve learned to chat with people since we’ve moved so much. My first friend in our new town is usually the librarian or maybe the checkout person at the grocery store. They’re always willing to talk.
See, Shary, you know the right people to talk to. You probably won’t believe this, but I am a relatively shy person, too. I’m not comfortable being put in a room full of strangers at a party, for instance. If it’s a forced situation, and not of my own making, I don’t find conversation as easy. I think I would like your mother very much.
~rofl~ What fun characters you and your husband must be. Thanks for the giggle. 🙂
Yes, we should have our own sitcom, E.C. I’d like to be like Ozzie and Harriet so we didn’t have to work.
You’re not alone. My other half is always telling me not to tell strangers my life story:) I like me that way and I suspect your hubby likes u just the way you are too!
Why am I not surprised, GCB, that you’re a talker, too? I think our partners do, indeed, like us just the way we are!
You just keep on talkin’ Susan. That is who you are and what makes you endearing. I can tell from your blog! I love to be around people who are not shy, because I only talk easily to friends and family who know me well. I don’t have much ability to open people up, so I’m drawn to warm extroverts. I like you more and more.
You know, Dor, you can get people to open up by asking questions and then just sitting back and listening. I love to listen even more than I like to talk! Loved your sweet comment.
I felt the need to get out and talk to folks more often. I joined Alcoholics Anonymous and it’s worked out very well for me.
So funny, joem! Now I need to go check out who left this comment.
I was totally caught of guard with your ending…this is hysterical… and I can totally believe that you live by the philosophy that every stranger is a potential friend. You go girl!
My husband puts up with a lot, LDC, but he still seems pretty happy with me. 😉
Hahahaha Susan!! I know several people just like you…. so entertaining!
And you still like those people, right, Dawn? 🙂
Ha, ha. You are very funny! Soooo guilty, too. My family admonishes me with regularity for telling everything. I just don’t see the harm in engaging in conversation.
We’re kindred spirits, Georgette! Glad I’m in good company.
My husband would be a good match for you after your divorce! Every survey-taker knows our life history. And maybe gets an invite to dinner.
Sounds like you have a good sense of humor, too, NQO! I haven’t invited a stranger to dinner—yet.